Drugmaker Eli Lilly announced earlier this month that it is lowering the price of the most commonly used forms of insulin by 70%, a move that could benefit owners of insulin-dependent diabetic pets.

Diabetes affects one in 308 dogs and one in 230 cats in the US.  Owners of diabetic pets have seen insulin costs triple since 2002; a large dog could require insulin costing $150/month. A article by Tufts University School of Medicine cites a study indicating that treatment cost is one factor in up to 20% of diabetic dogs being euthanized within a year of diagnosis.

A 2016 report indicated an upward trend in the prevalence of diabetes in pets, rising nearly 80% in dogs and 18% in cats over a 10-year period, yet pet diabetes is often under diagnosed. Understanding diabetic symptoms for pets is critical – especially since diabetes left untreated can be fatal in dogs and cats.

Identifying Diabetic Symptoms in Dogs

Knowing the signs of pet diabetes is essential in protecting a dog’s health. Consult your veterinarian about the possibility of diabetes if your dog shows any of the following symptoms:

• Drinks more water than usual (polydipsia)
• Urinates more frequently, produces more urine per day, or has “accidents” in the house (polyuria)
• Always acts hungry (polyphagia) but maintains or loses weight
• Has cloudy eyes

Identifying Diabetic Symptoms in Cats

Diabetes is even more common in cats. The disease is more typically diagnosed in older cats and neutered male cats, but diabetes has been diagnosed in cats of all ages, both sexes (intact and neutered) and all breeds. A cat with diabetes will display the following symptoms:

• Drinks more water than usual (polydipsia)
• Urinates more frequently, produces more urine per day, or has “accidents” outside the litter box (polyuria)
• Always acts hungry (polyphagia) but maintains or loses weight
• Is less active or sleeps more (lethargic)
• Has thinning, dry and dull hair

Routine Care for Diabetic Pets

If diagnosed, the attending veterinarian will recommend a routine treatment plan of insulin, diet modification and blood glucose monitoring that may lead to a better quality of life for diabetic pets. The price of insulin can be cost prohibitive for many pet owners, so a significant reduction in insulin cost should help more pet owners to better control blood sugar levels in their diabetic pets.

Part of that at-home management includes at-home monitoring and using an at-home monitor specifically calibrated for dogs and cats. The blood of dogs and cats is different from each other and different from humans. Better care and better outcomes are achieved when using the right treatment tools.

Reference: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/